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The Kebbi State Government has dismissed a viral report alleging the existence of a secret airstrip in Argungu, purportedly used for smuggling cocaine into the country.
At a joint press briefing held with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Cabinet Office in Birnin Kebbi, the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, described the report as “false, baseless, and malicious.”
According to the officials, the story was fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mislead the public and tarnish the reputation of the people of Kebbi State.
“The allegation is completely untrue. There is no such airstrip in Argungu or anywhere in Kebbi being used for illegal drug activities,” Birnin Kebbi stated.
“It is unfortunate that some individuals are exploiting AI tools to spread misinformation and cause unnecessary tension.”
The NDLEA Commander in Kebbi, Abdullahi Sokoto, on his part, warned that the agency would not tolerate any attempt to damage its credibility or that of the state. He urged residents to be vigilant and verify information before sharing it.
“The NDLEA remains committed to fighting drug abuse and trafficking in all forms, but such false claims only distract from the serious work we are doing,” he said.
Both the government and the NDLEA assured that appropriate measures would be taken against individuals or groups responsible for disseminating fake news in the state.
It’s AI – Kebbi govt clarifies alleged secret airstrip for cocaine smuggling
